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Sunday, February 27, 2011

Obituary of Leslie John Mix (1943 - 1951)

Today's obituary is more than just an obituary. It comes, as the others, from my grandmother's collection of newspaper obituaries. It this case though, it's sadly for a child, for my 1st cousin once removed, Leslie John MIX. He was the son of my granduncle Leslie Homer MIX, older brother to my grandmother. The child, known as "Mickey" according to the newspaper, drowned after falling into a creek in February 1951.

In addition to the obituary, there were news stories pasted on the paper as well showing. Other than what is stated in the newspaper, I only have what my grandmother verbally told me about her nephew, she said his mother's name was Ada GRAY, and that he was born Sept. 1, 1943 - "GRAY" as the surname of his mom appears confirmed by one of the names of the pallbearers, and 1943 at least works as a birth year.

His home address is listed as 211 S. Titus Ave. - this is in Ithaca, Tompkins Co., NY. When I look at a map, that street runs in between houses and the creek, so that means his house was right across the street from the creek.

Here are the scanned articles, and transcriptions are below:

Left Newspaper Clipping Text with photo:

(heading) ITHACA, N.Y., WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 7, 1951

DIVING OPERATIONS were started at the confluence of Six Mix Creek and Cayuga Inlet Tuesday in the search for the body of Leslie (Mickey) Mix, 7. At the left is Stewart Curtis of Cortland. Others (from left) are William Mix, the boy's uncle; John Mack of Ithaca, Clarence E. Smith of Cortland, the diver, and Leslie Mix, the boy's father. The spectators are on the south side of the W. State St. bridge. The boy fell into the creek Thursday night near the S. Cayuga St. bridge.

Middle newspaper clipping:

Diver Unable To Locate Drowned Boy

After making four descents into the Inlet through holes chopped in the ice and wading in several spots in Six Mile Creek to the southeast, Clarence E. Smith of Cortland, professional diver, gave up his quest Tuesday afternoon for the body of Leslie (Mickey) Mix, 7-year-old youngster of 211 S. Titus Ave.

Smith was unable to see in the muddy waters of the Inlet near where Six Mile Creek and the branch of the Inlet meet near the W. State St. bridge. But he probed the waters fully, as he did later through holes made in the ice in Six Mile Creek.

The Cortland man submerged himself through four different holes near the bridge, while the other holes in Six Mile Creek were chopped between there and the railroad bridge. Edward Whitlock, a volunteer, assisted in chopping holes in the ice.

The Mix boy's father, Leslie Mix of Burdett, was at the scene throughout, and assisted in the work. he hired the professional diver.

The boy was reported to have fallen into the creek near the S. Cayuga St. bridge late last week Thursday afternoon when he slipped on the icy bank. Searches have been conducted for the lad almost daily since then.

Obituary Text:

Last Rites Held for Leslie Mix (Leslie Mickey Mix)

Funeral services for Leslie John (Mickey) Mix, 7-year-old son of Mrs. Ada Mix of Ithaca and Leslie Mix of Burdett, who was drowned in Six Mile Creek Feb. 1, were held 10 a.m. today in the Oltz Funeral Home, 102 S. Geneva St. The Rev. Milton F. Sweet of Ludlowville officiated.

3 comments:

Oh, how sad. I always think of creeks being no more than 1 or 2 feet deep. The one in this circumstance must have been much deeper and larger. It doesn't really say whether they ever found his body, does it? How sad for his parents!